India Enhances Residential Education for Scheduled Castes and Tribals
The Government of India is taking significant steps to improve access to quality residential education and hostel facilities for students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and tribal communities. Through various Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) and the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are being implemented to ensure that these students receive necessary support and resources.
Support Under PM-AJAY
Under the hostel component of PM-AJAY, the government allocates financial assistance for building new hostels specifically for Scheduled Caste students. Sanctions for proposals are grounded in detailed need-assessment surveys and recommendations from State Governments, Union Territory Administrations, and Central Universities. In the past five years, two hostels for SC students, one for boys and one for girls, have been approved in Hyderabad, Telangana. These hostels are designed to accommodate 500 students and have received funding of ₹7.50 crore for their construction.
Focus on Quality Education
The PM-AJAY also outlines that while new hostel proposals are welcomed, there’s currently no provision for enhancing existing SC hostel facilities. However, agencies can receive central funding for repairs of existing operational hostels sanctioned under this scheme, allowing for the maintenance and longevity of these facilities.
In addition to hostel facilities, the government has introduced the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA). This initiative aims to provide promising SC students with quality residential education through one of two methods: reimbursing fees for students attending private residential schools or providing grants to NGOs that manage residential and non-residential schools and hostels for SC students.
Advancements for Tribal Students
For tribal students, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is spearheading the establishment of EMRS. These schools offer high-quality residential education to tribal children in designated tribal-dominated regions. So far, 728 EMRSs have been approved nationwide, with 508 already operational. Telangana has successfully established all 23 sanctioned EMRSs, with an enrollment of 10,199 students for the academic session of 2025-26.
Quality Assurance Measures
EMRSs affiliated with the CBSE underwent self-assessment during the 2025-26 school year, evaluating various aspects such as curriculum, infrastructure, and beneficiary satisfaction through the School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework.
The Government closely monitors the PM-AJAY through a series of national and regional conferences and reviews with States and Union Territories. Similarly, the operational status of EMRSs is overseen by dedicated committees at multiple levels to ensure effective management, accountability, and timely fund disbursement.
These initiatives reflect the Government’s unwavering commitment to expanding educational opportunities, enhancing residential infrastructure, and empowering students from marginalized communities to access quality education within supportive environments.
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